Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology Programs Rise in Rankings

Mar. 19, 2012

UT Dallas’ audiology program rose to third place, and speech-language pathology climbed to 11th place in the latest U.S. News and World Reportnational ranking of graduate schools.

Both programs landed in the top 4 percent of similar graduate school programs. They each climbed one spot on the list, which evaluates the quality of more than 1,200 U.S. graduate programs based on detailed statistical information and assessments by university administrators and faculty. The programs assessed in the annual poll focus on a wide range of disciplines, ranging from business to psychology.

Students in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS)’ communication sciences programs study and train primarily at the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders.

The audiology program was third among 69 programs ranked by U.S. News, tied with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Washington and Washington University in St. Louis. Only Vanderbilt University and the University of Iowa ranked higher.

In speech-language pathology, UT Dallas was 11th out of 237, tied with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Indiana University.

Both programs have long ranked among the nation’s best and largest for communication disorders education and training. Callier Center Executive Director Dr. Thomas Campbell attributes their continuing rise to highly motivated students and outstanding faculty.

UT Dallas has about 280 students in its communication disorder graduate programs.

“The reputation of our programs means we receive more applications than we can accept, so we’re able to choose the brightest, most-promising students,” he said. “When students arrive at UT Dallas, they are able to learn from nationally renowned faculty members, who help them develop into the next generation of researchers and clinicians.”

Dr. Bert Moore, dean of BBS, said the rise of audiology and speech-language pathology is consistent with the upward trajectory of The University of Texas at Dallas.

“These programs have been excellent for a long time, and they’ve made a significant effort to get even stronger through recruitment of outstanding faculty members,” he said.

The educational experience at Callier also enables graduate students to work closely with expert clinicians, the best way to learn, said Dr. Robert Stillman, head of the communication sciences graduate program.

“The individualized attention our students receive and the breadth of choice in coursework and clinical practicum make us very attractive to students,” he said. “This, along with our long history of excellence in research and clinical service, continues to enhance our reputation among our academic and professional colleagues.”

Students in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) communication sciences programs study and train primarily at the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders. With campuses in Dallas and Richardson, the center provides clinical services to nearly 5,000 patients annually, ranging from infants to seniors. Its faculty members and graduate students also are involved in groundbreaking research into the causes and treatment of speech, language and hearing disorders.

BBS offers a master of science in communication disorders, and doctorates in both audiology and communication sciences and disorders. Undergraduates also can earn a bachelor of science degree in speech-language pathology and audiology.

UT Dallas has about 280 students in its communication disorder graduate programs. Speech-language pathologists study speech production and work with patients to help them overcome challenges in their ability to speak and produce language. Audiologists study the physical and psychological characteristics that underlie hearing and disorders that affect the ability to hear.